Share YOUR recipes at
Colette & Cassi's Country Kitchen!

The cold, hard truth about freezing baked goods


Every year about this time, I get the urge to do some early holiday baking. The feeling usually goes away about as quickly as it came, because I'm unsure how to package and store holiday treats so they don't lose that "just baked" appeal.

This year, however, things are going to be different. I've been discovering all kinds of information for how to freeze fresh-baked goodies.

BAKED COOKIES: First, make sure the cookies are completely cooled. Next, tightly wrap each individual cookie in plastic wrap so that every part of it is covered. Place the wrapped cookies in a heavy freezer-type zip bag or airtight container. Freeze. When ready to serve, thaw at room temperature. Prepared this way, say the experts at www.KraftFoods.com, cookies will remain oven-fresh for up to one month.

UNBAKED COOKIES: Prepare cookies all the way to the point of baking them. However, instead of putting them into the oven, place the entire cookie sheet in the freezer. As soon as the raw cookies are frozen hard, transfer them into a heavy zip-type bag. To bake, remove the number of cookies desired and place in preheated oven following the recipe directions, increasing the baking time by several minutes. Cookie dough can be frozen for up to six weeks.

BARS AND BROWNIES: To freeze brownies and other bar-type cookies, allow the pan to completely cool without cutting into individual portions. Now wrap the pan very tightly with plastic wrap followed by foil. Freeze. When ready to serve, thaw at room temperature before cutting into individual portions. Note: If you wish to frost brownies, freeze them first, spread the frosting, freeze again until the frosting is solid and then follow with the wrapping instructions above. Frozen brownies will be delicious for up to three months when frozen.

QUICK BREADS: Loaves of banana bread, cranberry-nut bread and other types of quick breads make wonderful holiday gifts for neighbors, co-workers and teachers. You could easily get all of those gifts made now and have them frozen and ready to go. Do this: Wrap the baked loaves very tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. Place in a heavy-duty plastic freezer bag and freeze. Prepared this way, quick breads will be oven-fresh for up to two months.

CAKES: Properly packaged for the freezer, fresh-baked cakes will be good for up the three months. To freeze unfrosted cakes, place the cooled cake in a freezer-style heavy plastic bag. To freeze a frosted cake, place it in the freezer for one hour or until the frosting is frozen hard. Then proceed as with the unfrosted cakes, above. Allow frozen cakes to thaw at room temperature for an hour.

CHEESECAKE: You will have great success freezing cheesecake provided you omit any toppings added after baking. Save these toppings for when you thaw and serve the cheesecake. Wrap the cheesecake tightly in plastic wrap, then again in foil. Freeze up to two months.

Well, I can feel my confidence soaring. I'm ready to get busy filling my freezer with holiday fare.